JEAN
JAMES
Quietly, Jean passed away at Concordia
Hospital on Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at the age of 91 years, leaving her
husband, Arthur; children Brian (Karen), Stuart, and Tony; grandchildren
Alison, Aaron, Daniel, Michael, Alexandria, Hope, and Andrew; her great-grandchildren;
as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins in Australia and Scotland to mourn her
passing and reflect on how she touched each of their lives.
Jean
was predeceased by her parents Andrew and Annie Miller; brothers Billy and
Tommy; her sister Joanne, and second son, Ian.
On February 18, 1923, Jean was born in
Stirling, Scotland, and instantly established herself as a forceful presence in
the large clan of proud Scots there and in the nearby towns and villages. While
still a teenager, she and her family moved to Greenford, England shortly before
the Second World War. Jean was called up in 1943 and began service in the army
(ATS) at the base in Greenford.
Jean’s love of big band music and “proper”
dancing brought her future husband, Arthur into her life at the height of the
war during a base dance. After a three month courtship, they married on June
25, 1944 and so began an enduring 70 year partnership. In the years following
the war, she set up house at British Army bases throughout England,
establishing homes for her growing family over and over again, the highlight
being a brief few years in Malaya where Jean could indulge in her love of
social affairs, and where she and Arthur enjoyed the many balls and parties and
where they became renowned as the best dancers in her large and lively set of
friends.
Always eager and willing to engage in
adventures, Jean joined Arthur in their greatest of all when she packed up
everyone and everything she had and emigrated to Canada in 1959, joining her
brother, sister, and parents, who had all resettled in Winnipeg a few years
earlier. Starting from scratch was never a daunting prospect for Jean and, in
short order, she had her house and family in order and had acquired a long list
of new friends, most of whom would be Jean’s life-long friends.
Jean will be fondly remembered and missed by
all who knew her; who loved her.
A private service will be held in Wojcik’s
Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
Wojcik’s Funeral Chapel & Crematorium,
2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665, in care of arrangements.
wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Wojcik’s
FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM
2157 PORTAGE AVENUE
204 - 897 - 4665
www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
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